Omo-Agege, wife, others escape assassination in Delta

ASABA-SECOND phase of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege empowerment programme weekend, suffered a setback, following a reported attack on him, his wife Rosemary and members of his team by suspected political thugs at Effurun market and Ekpan, Uvwie Local Government Area, Delta State.

Omo-Agege

Omo-Agege who was ysterday at Effurun market and Ekpan in continuation of the empowerment programme he flagged off at Ughelli, penultimate Saturday, was reported attacked at the Effurun market mid way into the Programme where about 200 traders were being empowered with N20,000 each.

At Ekpan market where he was supposed to also empower over 200 traders with N20,000 each, the Senator’s convoy was reportedly attacked on arrival and some of his supporters were seriously beaten up and injured.

The incident, made people to scamper for safety, following the violent attack which was unleashed on the empowerment team.

Undaunted with the suspected attacks, Omo-Agege proceeded to Jigbale and Ubogo markets where he empowered 200 and 100 traders respectively with N20, 000 each. He also empowered 100 ‘Okada riders with N20, 000 each at Urhuvwerhun roundabout, totally N8 million.

Speaking separately at Jigbale, Ubogo markets and Urhuvwerhun roundabout, he said he would not be discouraged with the antics of political enemies, saying he would go on with the empowerment he has set out to do.

Speaking on the attack, Omo-Agege said; “I don’t know who sent them to assassinate me. But I was lucky because the bullet graze through my right ear, if I was not lucky I would have been dead. Two bullets were shot at me.

“My brother was shot. Also, we have one of my supporters who was almost killed at Ekpan market all in the presence of Police officers who could not even effect any arrest. I have taken a first step by filing a report with the Ekpan Police Station; I have equally spoken with the State Commissioner of Police.

“I will take it to the highest level; all I seek is that these undesirable elements who are out to assassinate people are removed from the system. And I will go to any extent to see to this. You cannot attempt to kill a sitting Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I refuse to read any political motivation to this, I refuse to. I’m not in any way saying that there is none. But I refuse to.

“But you must understand that what took me there is to show my appreciation to the people of Uvwie for the votes they cast for me in the last election and for standing by me in that election. Some people actually feel threatened that this, (my empowerment) is unheard of.

“I’m not just there to give Keke or give out grinding machines or give out sewing machines. These are standard things which every Senator, every House Reps member or every House of Assembly member is entitled to through the SDG’s office at the federal level or state level as the case may be.

“We are entitled to receipt of these Kekes, grinding machines, etc and we are expected to give those to our constituents. But I moved beyond that to give reliefs to our people no matter how small. That is why I chose to assist those who are weakest in the link. These are people who sell tomatoes in the market, who sell pepper in the market and who sell iced fish in the market.

“On any given day their total stock is not more than N5,000. So, I felt that no matter how small, if I were to give that to them it will help in boosting their petty business. I don’t think there is anything wrong with that. The people are very receptive but there are people who feel threatened by that. And they felt that the best way to stop it is to assassinate me.

“For those who were beaten and those who were equally shot at, like myself, I can assure them that we will get to the very bottom of it. Everybody who is involved in this attempted assassination, we will bring them to face the wrath of the law”.

Meanwhile, the Senator Ovie Omo-Agege media and Strategic Team, has condemned in the strongest terms, Saturday assassination attempt on the Senator, his wife, members of his family, APC leaders and his supporters, calling on security agencies to arrest the hoodlums and bring them to justice.

The team in a statement by Martin Aruviere said two persons were seriously injured during the alleged violent attack unleashed on Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and his team by the suspected killers, alleging that the hoodlums shot sporadically, destroyed chairs and canopies at the event venues and inflicted serious bodily injuries on members of the public.

Aruviere in the statement said; “the attackers made direct threat on the senator’s life when they came face to face with him and his wife. Senator Omo-Agege did not however yield to their violence, as he chose to provide bold and wise leadership to avoid unnecessary bloodshed over his charitable support for his constituents.

“Those injured were taken to hospitals for treatment on the senator’s timely advice before he and his team drove moved to Ekpan Police Station to formally complain to the police authorities. We expect the Police to act.

“We wish to advise and warn that it is in the interest of those who attacked the Distinguished Senator Omo-Agege to turn themselves in to security agencies immediately. We will never accept this violence. Our Senator is a peace-loving leader but surely not a weakling.

“We will not allow anyone create premeditated insecurity in Urhoboland. We will surely tame this bad behavior. God and our people are with us.
Despite the unnecessary bloody violence, the Distinguished Senator Omo-Agege wishes to express his gratitude to our market women and youths in Uvwie for their firm support. No one will stop him from giving back to our supporters in Uvwie and Urhoboland at large”.